Man United, Leeds Set for Preseason Friendly at Croke Park

Manchester United and Leeds United, two storied Premier League rivals, will face off in a preseason friendly at Dublin's Croke Park stadium on August 12, marking the first soccer match at the venue in nearly 17 years.

The game, scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m., comes as both clubs prepare for the 2026-27 season, delayed by the FIFA World Cup in North America. Croke Park, home to Ireland's Gaelic Athletic Association and with a capacity of 82,300, last hosted a soccer event in November 2009, when the Republic of Ireland fell 1-0 to France in a World Cup playoff before a crowd of around 74,000. The stadium has since accommodated other international sports, including an NFL regular-season game between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Minnesota Vikings in September 2025, which drew a full house.

Organizers anticipate a strong turnout, given the deep-rooted support for both teams in Ireland. Manchester United and Leeds boast histories intertwined with Irish talent, including legends like Roy Keane and Denis Irwin for United, and Gary Kelly and Ian Harte for Leeds. The fixture represents a rare opportunity for fans to see the cross-Pennine rivalry up close on Irish soil. Leeds returns to...